Versatile communication device with a facsimile function and a telephone function

Abstract

In a versatile communication device having a telephone function and a facsimile function, an erroneous detection of an on-hold melody as a control signal, such as a calling tone (CNG) signal, is prevented when the on-hold melody is played during an on-hold period of the telephone, thereby preventing the device from mistakenly switching connection to the facsimile function during the on-hold period. Further, the on-hold melody containing a signal component of the CNG signal or other control signal is prevented from sending to the remote device, so the remote device provided with a facsimile function does not switch to a facsimile mode during the on-hold status of the voice communication.

1. A communication device including a telephone device connectable through a telephone line to a remote telephone device, comprising:
 an on-hold key that sends an on-hold tone out to the remote telephone device when actuated; 
 determining means for determining whether or not there is a possibility that the on-hold tone might be detected mistakenly as a communication control signal; and 
 alerting means for alerting the possibility when said determining means determines that there is such a possibility. 
 
   
   
     2. The communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication control signal is one of a calling tone signal and a busy tone signal. 
   
   
     3. A communication device including a telephone device connectable through a telephone line to a remote telephone device, comprising:
 an on-hold key that sends an on-hold tone out to the remote telephone device when actuated; 
 determining means for determining whether or not there is a possibility that the on-hold tone might be detected mistakenly as a communication control signal; and 
 changing means for changing the on-hold tone when said determining means determines that there is such a possibility. 
 
   
   
     4. The communication device according to  claim 3 , wherein said communication control signal is one of a calling tone signal and a busy tone signal. 
   
   
     5. The communication device according to  claim 3 , wherein said changing means comprises editing means for editing the on-hold tone. 
   
   
     6. The communication device according to  claim 3 , wherein said changing means comprises tone erasing means for erasing a part of the on-hold tone. 
   
   
     7. A communication device including a telephone device connectable through a telephone line to a remote telephone device, comprising:
 an on-hold key that sends an on-hold tone out to the remote telephone device when actuated; 
 detecting means for detecting a communication control signal; 
 determining means for applying the on-hold tone to said detecting means and determining whether or not the on-hold tone is detected mistakenly as the communication control signal; and 
 alerting means for alerting the possibility when said determining means determines that the on-hold tone is detected mistakenly as the communication control signal. 
 
   
   
     8. The communication device according to  claim 7 , wherein said communication control signal is one of a calling tone signal and a busy tone signal. 
   
   
     9. A communication device including a telephone device connectable through a telephone line to a remote telephone device, comprising:
 an on-hold key that sends an on-hold tone out to the remote telephone device when actuated; 
 detecting means for detecting a communication control signal; 
 determining means for applying the on-hold tone to said detecting means and determining whether or not the on-hold tone is detected mistakenly as the communication control signal; and 
 changing means for changing the on-hold tone when said determining means determines that the on-hold tone is detected mistakenly as the communication control signal. 
 
   
   
     10. The communication device according to  claim 9 , wherein said communication control signal is one of a calling tone signal and a busy tone signal. 
   
   
     11. The communication device according to  claim 9 , wherein said changing means comprises editing means for editing the on-hold tone. 
   
   
     12. The communication device according to  claim 9 , wherein said changing means comprises tone erasing means for erasing a part of the on-hold tone.